About GTR - GTR | Greater Tampa REALTORS®

Greater Tampa REALTORS® (GTR), is “Your Premier Real Estate Resource” in Tampa since 1911, represents more than 16,000 members and is the largest Tampa Bay-based professional association of real estate brokers and sales associates conducting business throughout the Bay area.

GTR represents REALTORS® who are involved in the following specialties: residential sales, commercial sales and investment, property management, and appraisals.

REALTOR®

The term, REALTOR®, is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and abides by its strict Code of Ethics.

Vision Statement

Greater Tampa REALTORS® strives to be the valued voice of real estate by continuing to elevate and enhance our professional and ethical business practices.

Mission Statement

Your Premier Real Estate Resource

Value Statement

Greater Tampa REALTORS® is driven by the needs of its members, led by dedicated volunteers and managed by professional staff. We are committed to providing exceptional service and valuable benefits for our members and communities.

GTR's History

1911-1936

Greater Tampa REALTORS® was founded March 18, 1911 as the Tampa Real Estate Board when the National Association of Real Estate Boards elected it to membership and conveyed upon it the privilege of using the designation “REALTOR®” The Tampa Real Estate Board was the first real estate board in the state of Florida.
Thomas C. Hammond becomes the first President of the Tampa Real Estate Board (TREB) from 1911-1916
Hammond initiated the movement that resulted in the formation of the Florida Association of Real Estate Boards (now Florida REALTORS®), and became its first President from 1916-1921
Charles N. Chadbourne coins the term “REALTOR®” and sells the rights to the word to the national association in 1916
In 1923, the TREB helped establish a Florida Real Estate License law in 1923 and the Torrens system for registering land titles.
In 1926, the Tampa Real Estate Board was incorporated under the laws on the State of Florida as a not-for-profit organization.

1936-1961

Consistent growth pushed for expansion, the Tampa Real Estate Board (TREB), headquarted in downtown Tampa, moves to a new location on Tampa Street.
By late 1950, membership increases demanded the board build a brand new facility on East Jackson Street.
In 1954, President John Biggar drew up plans and members bought and sold non-interest bearing bonds to raise money for the new headquarters, which was dedicated in 1959.
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) begins in the early 1950’s, when a group of 13 REALTORS® decided it needed to operate more efficiently.
In 1957, President Robert Smoak sold the idea of a Multiple Listing Service to the National Association of Real Estate Boards (NAREB), and MLS becomes a separate corporation from the Tampa Board of REALTORS®.

1961-1986

As membership continues to balloon throughout the 1960’s and early 70’s, the Jackson Street office is no longer adequate.
The Tampa Board of REALTORS (TBR) purchases a lot on Kennedy Blvd., and builds its new headquarters, dedicated in 1973.
In 1970, Realtron comes to Tampa and the MLS is computerized. Computers become the norm and necessity to conducting real estate.
The Tampa Board hires Carol Austin on staff as a MLS clerk in 1970. She eventually becomes the associations 4th CEO in 1994. She served with the Association for over 41 years.
In 1979, Evelyn Drew becomes the first woman President of the TBR.
In 1985, the Tampa Board is the 8th largest trade association in the nation, and the largest in Florida.

1986-2016

In 1988, the Tampa Board becomes known as the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® (GTAR).
In 1989, association members voted to become an “ALL REALTOR®” Association.
In 1993, GTAR made renovations to its headquarters to comply with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In 1993, Herbert Fisher becomes the first black President of GTAR.
In 1998, GTAR launches its original website.
Electronic signatures become legally valid in 2000, marking the beginning on electronic transactions in real estate.
In 2002, the association joined the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, now the Stellar MLS.
In 2016, Dennis MacDonald joins GTAR as its 5th Chief Executive Officer.
On Sept. 1, 2016, the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® (GTAR) shortens its name to become Greater Tampa REALTORS® (GTR).

2017 - Present

In October of 2018, Greater Tampa REALTORS® merges with the East Pasco Association of REALTORS®.
In 2022, Ruth Bryson becomes the first female black President of GTR.